Brush fire in the Verdugo Mountains north of Glendale 90 percent contained

GLENDALE >> A 150-acre brush fire that broke out in the Verdugo Mountains north of Glendale over the weekend was 90 percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon.

The fire was reported at 12:27 p.m. Sunday behind the Brand Library in the 1600 block of West Mountain Street and grew to 150 acres by Monday, said city spokesman Dan Bell. The latest containment figure was estimated about 4:20 Tuesday afternoon.

Bell said no structures had been damaged and no evacuations ordered as a result of the fire, which burned away from structures and into “very steep, treacherous canyons.”

The lower area of Brand Park, and also the Brand Library, which is in the park, were reopened at noon, said Glendale city spokesman Tom Lorenz, but Brand Park hiking trails will remain closed until Friday.

The blaze was being fought by about 200 firefighters from various agencies, including the Los Angeles City and County fire departments, and the Pasadena, San Gabriel, Montebello, Burbank and Alhambra fire departments. They include rough terrain firefighters, the so-called “Hot Shots” of the U.S. Forest Service.

Some minor injuries were reported, including a firefighter who suffered a scrape and another who suffered a cut when they were hit by a falling rock, Bell said. Another twisted an ankle.

Five hikers were in the area when the fire started. Two walked out of the brush on their own, Bell said, and three others were airlifted to safety.